The Indian Air Force (IAF) has finished developing its SAMAR (Surface to Air Missile for Assured Retaliation) system, and the weapon has entered the initial phase of manufacturing, according to the IAF during Aero India 2023 in Bangalore, which runs from February 13 to February 17.
Per Janes, the first batch of five production SAMAR-1s is ready to be handed to the Air Force’s missile unit, according to an Air Force officer (probably SAM squadrons). Air Force directives are forthcoming, according to the official.
SAMAR is a short-range anti-aircraft missile system that the 7th Base Repair Depot developed (BRD) and the 11th Air Force BRD in collaboration with the Indian private businesses Simran Flowtech Industries and Yamazaki Denki.
As part of the SAMAR-1 system, the Air Force’s arsenal of Soviet Vympel R-73E missiles with an infrared guidance system for ground launch is utilised. After missiles with expired technical suitability have been modified, they are integrated into the Air Force’s launch platform and firing schemes.
SAMAR Surface to Air missile system
The IAF has two variants of the SAMAR systems. The SAMR system employs air-to-air missiles of Russian manufacture, the Vympel R-73 and R-27.
SAMAR-I first appeared in March 2021 after the politicians’ review of the system. It is equipped with two R-73E short-range infrared homing missiles and is mounted on a ZiL-131 6 vehicle. Each missile launcher had an electro-optic system visible.
Later it was displayed on Ashok Leyland Stallion 44 truck. The device is effective against low-flying objects and has a range of 10-12 kilometres. It can fire in both salvo and single-shot modes.
SAMAR-II is a continuation of SAMAR-I, employing R-27ET1 medium-range infrared homing missiles. Two missiles are installed atop a BEML Tatra T815 8 truck with a self-loading knuckle crane, generator, and control systems. The technology is intended to have a range of more than 20 kilometres.
Before firing, both models of SAMAR can be modified in elevation and azimuth. Since 1987, India has purchased around 4500 R-73 missiles, according to SIPRI. Hundreds of R-27 missiles are also in the inventory of the IAF.
VL-SRSAM systems are expected to supplement the IAF’s Akash and SPYDER systems, replacing the ageing improved Pechora and OSA-AK systems. While its capabilities are restricted compared to specialist air defence systems, SAMAR could be a low-cost intermediate solution with export potential.
